Post-card vending machine.



Patented Apr; 9,1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEETI A. NELSON.

POST CARD VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAYZG, I9I7. 1,262,236,

I I I I I I III I wie I I I A. NELSON.

POST CARDVENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED MA1/26.1911.

Patented Apr'. 9, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. NELSON.

7 POST CARD VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY26|1917.V L, Patented Apr. 9,1918. I SHEETS-SHEET3.

bbozmm A. NELSON.

POST CARD VENDING MACHINE.

Y I APPLICATION FILED MAY 26. |917. z@ Patented Apr. 9,1m

v 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A. NELSON. POST CARD VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 261 19H. I

1 3 abbonaei TENT. @FFQEQ ALBERT NELSON7 OF WHEATON, MINNESOTA.

POST-CARD-VENDING MACHINE.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT NELSON, a citizenof the United States ot America, residingv at lWheaton, in the county ofTraverse and State ot Minnesota, have inventcd certain new and usefulimprovements in ost-Card-lT ending Machines, of which the tollowing isaspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.This invention relates to a postcard vending machine and has tor itsprincipal object the production ot a structure wherein simple aneefficient means is provided for releasing a postcard or a series otpostcards as the coin of a suitable denomination is dropped into themachine.

Another object of this invention is the production ot a postcard vendingmachine wherein a plurality ot leaves are carried in such a manner as tosupport postcards, these leaves being operated by a simple mechanismwhich will cause the leaves to be automatically released one at a timeas a coin is dropped into the machine to operate the above mentionedmechanism. y

Another object of this invention is the provision ot a postcard vendingmachine which is provided with a simple and efficient mechanism toroperating a coin switch plate so that when a certain series of cards hasbeen exhausted and the leaves carrying the same have been lowered, theswitch plate will be swung so as to direct the coin into a returnchannel thereby causing the coin to be returned to the purchaser.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a postcard vendingmachine which is provided with a coin race carried by the lower end ofthe return chutes so that the coins which are switched by the switchplate willbe directed through these chutes into said coin race and thenreturned to the purchaser.

Another object of( this invention is the production ot a postcardvending machine which is provided with a shutter mechanism arranged sothat when the leaves carrying the postcards have fallen and the seriesot' cards carried by the particular leaves have been exhausted theshutter will move in trout of a. sight opening so as to indicateSpecification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 26, 1917.

Patented Apr. 9, t'll.

serial No. 171,301.

that this portion of the machine is exhausted of the particular set ofpostcards.

Another object of this invention is the production of a postcard vendingmachine wherein a plurality ot pawls are supported upon swinging rods soas to permit an operating mechanism to be connected to the pawls insuchr manner to reciprocate said pawls in unison and in oppositedirections, thus permitting the pawls to be actuated so as to releaseone leat at a time.

llVith these and other objects in view this invention consists otcertain novel combinations, constructions and arrangements ot parts aswill be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:-

Figure l is a front elevation or" the postcard vending machine showingthe. same as it appears when in use;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation ot the postcard vending machine a portion ofthe rear side being broken away;

F ig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the complete machineillustrating one set ot the operating mechanism;

Fig. l is an enlarged transverse vertical section through a portion ofthe machine taken on the line -/l of Fig. 2;

,F ig. 5 is a section taken on a horizontal plane through the upperportion of a partot the machine illustrating particularlvthe mechanismused for operating the swinging Jaws;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through a portion of thecoin cup supporting bar showing the plates carried thereon;

Fig. 7 is a detailed perspective view ot one of the clamps used torreleasably retaining a coin cup upon the coin cup s upporting bar;

Fig. S is a detail perspective view of one of the coin switch platesillustrating the manner in which the same is carried upon a certainstrip;

Fig. 9 isa detail perspective view of a portion of the deviceillustrating the support for the swinging rods connected to the jaws aswell as the supportt'or the switch plate operating mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of the means employed forreciprocating the pawls;

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of a reinforcing element used inthe present invention showing one of the brackets used for releasablysupporting one of the drop rods;

F ig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary section through a portion of themachine illus-v trating the support for the pawls, and the shuttermechanism in elevation;

Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of the shutter and arm therefor;

Fig. 14 is an elevation of the sight opening and the closure meanscarried thereadjacent;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail perspective view of one of the leaves;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view adjacent the end of the coin return to whichthe coin passes when a certain series of the leaves are emptied;

Fig. 17 is a transverse section taken on the line 17-17 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 18 is a section taken on the line 18-18of Fig. 5.

Referring to the-accompanying drawings by numerals it will be seen thatthe postcard vending machine includes a casing formed of a base 1supported by the transverse cleats 2. rlChe end walls 3 extend upwardlyfrom the base 1 as shown in Fig. 2 and carry the top 4 adjacent theirupper ends. The front side 5 is positioned upon the forward side edgesof the end walls 3 and the base 1, although it will be noted that Vthetop 4 slantsupwardly as indicated at 6 adjacent its forward portion forpurposes to be hereinafter set forth, thus causing the front side 5 ofthe casing to extend to the upper portion of the top 4. It will be notedthat the front side 5 is provided with an elongated notch 7 formedadjacent 'its lower end and this notch 7 communicates with the base 1 asshown clearly in Fig. 1. The front side 5 is also provided with aplurality of reinforcing ribs 8 carried upon its inner side and bearingupon the end walls 3 as shown clearly in Fig. 3. In this manner it willbe seen that the front wall will be held against sagging notwithstandingthat it is formed as shown herein of sheet metal. The rear side 9 hasits lower portion extending into brackets 1() iixedly mounted upon thebase 1 of the casing. The upper portion of this rear side 9 fits againstthe top 4 as shown in Fig. 3 and may be releasably held in engagementtherewith by set screws or any other suitable lock which may be desiredto be employed for this purpose. Therefore since the lower portion ofthe rear side 9 fits into brackets 10 and since the upper portion of therear side is releasably held in engagement with the upper portion of thecasing it will be seen that the rear side will be releasably held so asto close the rear portions of the casing. It is of course obvious thatthe rear side 9 may be removed when access is desired to the interior ofthe casing of the vending machine.

It will be also noted that the plurality of reinforcing ribs 11 aremounted upon the rea-r side 9 so as to hold this rear side from saggingand for efficiently reinforcing the same in order to withstand anystrain which may be broughtI to bear thereon. It is of course obviousthat this casing may be formed of wood or metal or of any othersubstance desired for it is only necessary to provide a comparativelyordinary casing for housing the working elements of the vending machine.

The coin cup supporting bar 12 is carried by .the end supportingstandards 13 as shown in Fig. This coin cup supporting bar 12 isprovided with a-plurality of vertically extending cleats 13 as shown inFig. 3. These cleats are carried in pairs upon said coin cup supportingbar and are positioned in spaced relation with respect to each other soas to permit a coin cup to be positioned between each pairof cleats 13as illustrated in Fig. 2. Each coin cup comprises sides 14 which arecarried upon a front 15 and a back 16. The bottom 17 is carried by thesides 14 and the front 15 and back 16 as shown clearly in F ig.v 4 andthis bottom 17 slants rearwardly so as to cause Y wardly extendingflange-19 will rest uponv the coinL cup supporting bar 12 as shown inFig. 4. At this time the clamp 20 is positioned so asvto hold the cupagainst accidental displacement. By referring particularly to Fig. 7 itwill he noted that the clamp 20 is of the substantially invertedU-shaped construction so as to permit the clamp to be positioned overthe rearwardly extending flange 19 and to grip the inner surface of theback 16 of the cup as well as to grip the coin cup supporting bar 12thus releasably holding the coin cup in a set position upon thesupporting bar 12.

The construction of each leaf is substantially similar and it istherefore thought that a description of one leaf will be suflicient toclearly disclose the construction of all the leaves used in connectionwith this invention. Therefore by referring toFig.

it will be noted that the leaf 21 coniprises an elongated body which isrolled at one end to provide a sleeve 22 extending transverselythereacross. At the opposite end of the body 21 of the leaf there isprovided a reduced projection 23 for the purpose to be hereinafter setforth. The lip 24 is carried upon the leaf 21 adjacent the projection 23since this lip 24 is provided with a foot 25 iitting upon the body 21 ofthe leaf. ln order to reinforce the lip 24 so as to hold the lipextended at right angles to the projection there is provided areinforced strand 26 which has one end secured to the lip 24, while theopposite end is soldered or otherwise secured to the body 21 of the leafas illustrated at 27. i plurality of these leaves are pivotallysupported upon each coin cup by means of pivot pins which pass throughthe sleeves of the bodies 21 of the leaves, these pivot pins 28 beingcarried by the sides 14 of the coin cup. 1t will also be notedv that theleaves are formed so as to have the length of the leaves slightlygraduated thereby permitting the leaves to be positioned above eachother and the pins being supported in parallel vertical planes asillustrated clearly in Fig. 4. Furthermore it will be noted that thefront 15 of the coin cup is considerably shorter than the back 16 of thecup thus providing suiiicient space in connection with the manner inwhich the lips are supported for permitting the leaves to be movedupwardly to extend in substantially horizontal planes when cards arecaried thereby.

It will also be noted by referring to Figs. l and 2 that a series ofoperating mechanism are arranged within the casing so as to permit thedifferent assortment of cards to be carried by each set of leavesalthough it is of course obvious that the number of mechanism employedin one casing may be either increased or dininished, as desired. Thelongitudinally extending platform 29 is iiXedly mounted upon the upperportions of the standards 13 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This platform 29carries the strands 30 secured by means of the screws 31 or in any othersuitable manner so as to permit the strands to project beyond theplatform 29 as shown in Fig. 5 and have their ends tiXedly secured inany suitable manner to the longitudinal reinforcing` rod Between thesereinforcing strands 30 and carried upon the platform 29 is asubstantially U-shaped supporting strand 33 held by the retaining screws34. This strand 33 also projects beyond one side of the platform 29although it terminates short of the ends ofthe reinforcing strands 30.llhis U- shaped supporting strand 33 is provided with a pin 35 fixedlysecured thereto in any manner, such for instance as by soldering,

and this pin 35 pivotally supports the swinging rods 36 as illustratedclearly in Fig. 9. The lower ends of these swinging rods 36 are iiXedlyconnected as illustrated at 37 to the pawls 38.

' The supporting bar 39 is fiXedly mounted upon the standards 13 asillustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 and this bar 39 is provided with supportingposts 40 liXedly mounted thereon in any suitable manner and projectingthereabove in parallel spaced relations. A shaft 41 has its ends 42journaled in the supporting posts 4() whereby the shaft will heeffectively supported although it will be permitted to freely oscillatewhen necessary. rlhe transverse pin 43 is carried by the shaft 441 andextends at right angles thereto as shown in Fig. 10 whereby the ends ofthis pin 43 may fit in the openings 44 formed in the rear ends of thepawls 38 as illustrated clearly in Fig. 4. Although the swinging rods 36support the pawls 38 it will be seen that the pawls will be held in setpositions so as to reciprocate in opposite direct-ions in unison whenthe shaft 41 is oscillated.

The U-shaped yoke 45 is i'ixedly supported upon the rod 32 and has theshaft 46 journaled thereon as illustrated in Fig. 2. The finger 47 isiiXedly secured to the shaft 46 and this finger projects forwardly asillustrated in Fig. 3 for purposes to be hereinafter set forth. 1t willbe noted that this 'linger 4T is normally urged upward at its forwardend as the rear end projects beyond the shaft 46 and is engaged by thecoiled spring 48 and since the lower end of the coiled spring engagesthe rod 32 the rear end of the linger will normally be pulled downwardlyfor urging the forward end of the linger upwardly. The projection 49 iscarried upon the shaft 46 and has the upper end of the link 50 pivotallyconnected thereto as is shown in Fig. 3. rlhe lower end of the linlr 50is pivotally connected to the clamp 51 as shown at 52 and this clamp 51is clamped upon the pin 53 projecting at right angles to the pin 43 onthe shaft 41. 1t will therefore be seen that as the finger 47 is swungupwardly and downwardly the pin 53 will cause the shaft 41 to beoscillated thus reciprocating the pawls 38. Therefore when the leavesare positioned above the pawls as shown in Fig. 3 they will rest uponthe upper pawl. As the upper pawl is retracted and the lower pawl isprojected the weight of the leaves will be supported by the lower pawl.Upon the return of the pawls to their normal positions it will be seenthat the upper pawl will pass above the lowest leaf so as to support theremaining leaves while retraction of the lower pawl will cause the lowerleaf to fall to permit the guard carried by the lower leaf to bereleased.

the guide 55 which is carried within the casing being wedged or solderedor otherwise secured within the slanting portion of the casing, asillustrated at 56. This guide 55 is provided with a closed top 57although the flanges 58 are spaced apart and carried -upon the lowerportion of the guide 55 so that a coin of a denomination too small tooperate the mechanism will fall from the guide Aand be returned to theoperator by a course lto be hereinafter described. The back 57 isprovided with a downwardly bent end 57 so as to deflect the coindownwardly which passes from the inner end of the guide 55. The slidefor the coin comprises a back 59 while the front 60 is connected to theback 59 by the side flanges 61. It will be noted however that the front60 is provided with a vertically extending slot 62 formed therein andextending for practically the entire length of the ,front 60 as shown inFig. 2.v This slide is supported in any suitable manner upon thesupporting strand 63 carried by the screws 64 upon the platform 29 asillustrated in Figs. 2 and 5. The upper end of the slide is secured tothe strip 65 as shown in Fig. 3. r1`he funnel 66 is also secured to theupper end of the slide and to the strip 65 directly beneath the end ofthe guide 55. Therefore when a coin is inserted in the chute 54 if of aproper denomination it will pass through the guide 55 and will bedeflected by the downwardly bent end 57 into the funnel 66 and will thenpass downwardly through the coin slide. Since the forward end of thefinger 47 normally eX- tcnds through the slot 62 formed in the front andthe slot 62 formed in the back of the coin slide the coin when passingdownwardly through the slide will engage the forward end of the finger47 and will therefore swing this forward enddownwardly. As the forwardend of the linger is swung downwardly the link 55 will be urgeddownwardly thus causing the shaft 41 to be oscillated in a clockwisedirection to retract the upper pawl and project the lower pawl thusleaving one leaf in engagement with the lower pawl and as the upper pawlis again moved to its original position and the lower pawl is retracted,the one leaf will be freed and swung downwardly to permit the cardcarried thereby to be released.

It should be noted that by having the leaves provided with the lips 24the leaves will be held in spaced relation when inv an elevated positionas shown in Figs. 3 and 4 thus providing sufficient space between theprojections 23 for the operation of the pawls as the same arereciprocated.

rlhe supporting bar 67 is carried by the standards 13 as shown in Figs.2 and 3. This supporting bar 67 is provided with a plurality of notches68 formed therein in spaced relation. The slanting tray 69 is connectedto the sill 70 mounted upon the base and this slanting tray also has itsupper portion secured to the bar 67. Flanges 71.are struck from theslanting tray 69 adjacent its upper rear portion and these flanges 71project 'so as to lit within the notches 68 thereby holding the slantingtray against accidental movement. 1t will also be noted that the base lof the casing projects beyond the forward surface of the front side 5 ofthe casing and is provided with an overhanging molding 72. r1`herefore acard which has just been released by the falling of one of the leaveswill fall into engagement with the slanting tray 69 since the tray iscarried directly beneath the several seriesof leaves as shown in Fig. 2.As the card falls into engagement with the slanting tray it will slidetherealong and then because of the momentum obtained by the card it willslide into engagement with the overhanging molding 72 so that thisforward movement will be limited. This action will be limited because ofthe elongated notch formed in the front side 5 thereby permitting thepurchaser to pick the card up without difficulty.

lVhen the leaves are rst provided with cards and are in an elevatedposition as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the purchaser can readily tell thatthe series of cards of which he desired to obtain one or more cards isprovided with the cards desired since at this time a view may be hadthrough one of the sight openings 73 formed in the side 5 0f the casing.It will be noted that a plurality of these sight openings are providedso that one sight opening will be provided for each series of leaves. Inorder to prevent a foreign instrument from being projected through anyone sight opening a piece of glass 74 is positioned over each sightopening and the glass is held in position by means of a frame 75overhanging the same since the frame is held in a set position upon theinner side of the front side 5. This construction is shown clearly inFigs. 12 and 14 and although the casing is entirely closed in and devoidof sufficientlights for awouldbe purchaser to viewV the interior of thesame the dark interior of the casing will 'cause the opening to be darkand the purchaser may then be aware of the fact that the card is carriedin the series he desires. After the last card of a certain series hasbeenexhausted or discharged because of the falling of the last leaf ofthe particular series the shutter 76 will fall in front of the sightopening 73. It is intended to have this shutter provided with a-lightouter surface so that when the shutter is in front of the sight openingthe light surface will be readily apparent and will indicate that theseries of cards desired has been exhausted. ln order to support theshutter 76 there is provided a rearwardly extending arm 77 having anangularly extending portion 78 which passes through the supporting blade7 9. From the projection 78 a rearwardly extending curved portion 80extends, which fits into the leaves when the same are in an elevatedposition as illustrated clearly in Fig. l2. Since the portion 8O iscurved upwardly it is obvious that when the outer end is carried in ahorizontal plane with respect to the pivot. point the shutter 76 will becarried above this horizontal plane so as to be positioned upon thesight opening 73. l/Vhen the last leaf of the particular series hasfallen the weight of the shutter 76 will cause the shutter to falldownwardly in front of the sight opening the downward movement beinglimited by the engagement o f the arms 7 7 and a vertical strip 81.

After a particular series of leaves have fallen and the cards thereofhave been discharged the money which may be accidentally inserted in thechute leading to the operating mechanism of this exhausted series isautomatically returned to the would-be purchaser. ln order to accomplishthis function a substantially U-shaped yoke 82 is iixedly mounted uponthe supporting strip adjacent the lower end of the guide 55 and theupper end of the coin slide. The coin switch plate 83 is fixedly securedto a pivot pin 84 mounted upon the yoke 82 as shown in Fig. 8. This coinswitch plate is provided with flanges 85 formed on all but a forwardside so as to `cause the coin directed thereagainst to be held fromsliding from the plate excepting over the front. end thereof. Undernormal conditions this switch plate permits the coin to beY caught bythe funnel 66 and be directed down through the coin slide ashereinbefore specified. At this time however the coin switch plate 83 isengaged by the push rod 86 which projects through the supporting strip65 and engages the rear surface of the coin switch plate 83 as shown inFig. 3. The lower end of thispush rod 86 is pivotally connected to theclamp 87 as shown at 88. This clamp 87 is clamped upon. the lever 89which has pivoted journals 90 extending at right angles thereto. Thesepivotedjournale. 9): are pivotalliy' mounted upon the- U- shaped yoke91, tixedly secured in any suitable manner such for instance as beingannealed to the U-shaped strand 33 whereby the lever 89 is pivotallysupported. This lever 89 is provided with an eye 92 at one end throughwhich passes the drop rod 93. This drop rod 93 is provided with a head94: and when the leaves are in an elevated position, that is when thepost-cards are carried by the series of leaves7 the lower end of thisdrop rod 93 will be carried upon the upper leaf as shown clearly in Fig.3. At this time the head 94 will be carried at a distance above the eye92 of the lever 89. As a consequence the weight of the push rod 86 willbe suiicient to cause one end of the lever 89 to remain in a loweredposition thus causing the coin switch plate 83 to also remain in alowered position. As soon however as the last leaf has fallen the droprod 9.3 which projects through the platform 29 will fall or movedownwardly so as to cause the head 94 to engage the eye 92 for swingingthis end of the lever 89 downwardly and moving the push rod 86 upwardly.Upon the movement of the push rod 86 upwardly it is obvious that thecoin switch plate 83 will be swung upwardly as indicated in dotted linesin Fig. 3. Because of the length of this switch plate it will seen thata coin inserted at this time kwill be prevented from entering the slidebut will be directed to the coin return chutes and return race to behereinafter described. l

It should be noted that when coins are passing downwardly through thecoin slides and as the linger i7 is being operated so as to cause theleaves to be released and Cards to be discharged in the mannerhereinbefore set forth the coins will pass from the lower end of thecoin slides into the o'set caps 95. These caps are offset so as to causethe coins to be directed by the cap of a particular slide into the coincup carried therebeneath. lt will be noted by referring particularly toFig. 5 that the coin slide is car-` ried off center with respect to thecoin cup since it is necessary to provide the slide in such a positionas to provide suflicient space for the operating elements of the vendingmachine. The coins which fall into thecup will be directed toward oneside thereof because of the slanting bottom illustrated inV Y The coinreturn chutes 96 have guide flanges 97 formed upon the side edges andeach chute isprovided with a web 98 at its upperend to prevent the coinfrom accidentally being thrown over the upper end ofthe returnchute.Since vthe return chute is carried adjacent the lower end of the guide55it will be seen that when the coin switch plate is moved upwardly tothe position indicated by the dotted position in Fig. 3 the coin willride over the plate 83 and be directed into the upper end of the. coinreturn chute. Although the momentum of the coin may throw the saineagainst the interior of the web 98 it is obvious that this web willretain the coin within the chute and the coin will then fall downwardlyinto the interior of the coin race 99. This coin race 99 slants from anelevated position at one end to a lowered position at the other as shownin Fig. 2. IThis race extends practically the entire length of thecasing so as to be carried in a position to receive coins from any oneof the coin return chutes 96 when any one of the series of leaves of theseveral mechanisms within the casing has been exhausted of its supply ofcards. The coin race 99 is substantially U-shaped in cross section asshown in Fig. 3 and has upwardly extending guards 100 formed thereon inalinement with the lowerl ends of the coin return chutes 96. As aconsequence the coin which is directed downwardly by the chute will becaught by one of the guards 100 and directed into the coin race 99.Since the race slants forwardly toward one end the coin will then lrollforwardly through the race to the auxiliary race 101 which extends intothe tube 102. This tube 102 slants downwardly at approximately 45passing along the outer side surface of one of the standards 13 as shownin Fig. 2. The tube 102 connects with a second tube 103 carried by thefront side 5 of the casing. At the forward end of the second tube 103casing 5 is provided with a slot 10st through which the coin which isbeing returned may pass. The return cup 105 is xedly mounted upon theouter surface of the front side 5 of the casing as shown clearly in Fig.16. This return cup 105 is provided with a slanting bottom 106 whichwill facilitate the lifting of a return coin therefrom.

When the postcard vending machine is in operation it is necessary tointerpose cards between the leaves of each coin receiving cup. Tn orderto accomplish this function the clamp 20 of the particular cup is pulledfrom engagement with the cup and the coin cup supporting` bar thuspermitting the particular coin cup to be lifted from between the cleatsof the coin cup supporting bar. A. card or a vplurality of cards asdesired may be interposed between the leaves at which time the leavesare swung to a substantially horizontal plane as shown in F ig. 4. Thecup is then positioned upon the coin cup supporting bar and the clamp 20replaced so as to hold the cup against accidental displacement. Theleaves may then be positioned so as to cause the projection of the lowerleaf to rest upon the upper pawl 38 and to bear upon the curved free end80 of the arin 77 to hold the shutter in an elevated position. Thisoperation is formed in connection with all of the cups and series ofleaves Carried within the casing.

It is intended that the front side 5 of the casing be provided with afranie 107 having an inner wall 108 against which guards 109 may bepositioned. The glass 110 may then be positioned within the frame 107being held by the molding 111. A series of cards are positioned withinthis franie as illustrated in Fig. 1 so that one card will be positioneddirectly beneath each chute 54. In

this manner the disclosure of a card may he made illustrating the kindof cards which are carried within the casing by the leaves which will beoperated by the inserting of acoin in the particular chute 54E beneathwhich a certain card is illustrated. 1f it is intended to have themachine operated and a series of cards or a single card discharged `bythe action of a nickel it is obvious that the space between the flanges58 of the guide 55 will be suiiicient to cause a coin such as a dirne ora penny to fall between the flanges 58. Although the operatingmechanisms are carried beneath the guide 55 their open construction willmerely cause the falling coin to rebound therethrough and finally fallupon the slanting trayv 69 and be directed upon the base 1 adjacent theoverhanging molding 72 so as to permit the would-be purchaser to receivehis returned coin.

l/Vhen the postcards are carried upon the leaves in the manner abovementioned the shutter will be held above the sight opening while thetension of the coiled spring 48 will hold its respective finger in anelevated posi-- tion. The coin switch plate 83 then being in a loweredposition as illustrated in full lines in Fig. 3, the proper coin will bedirected downwardly into the coin slide so as to swing the finger 4-7for causing the pawls to be reciprocated in the manner above specified.The coin will pass forwardly from. the coin slide through the cap 95into one of the coin receiving cups. The reciprocation of the pawls maybe readily accomplished and these pawls willbe`held so as to be.reciprocated in a horizontal plane by the swinging rods 36. When theleaves lhave fallen and the drop rod 93 is in its lowered position thedownward movement of the lever 89 at one end may be limited to preventthis lever from coming into engagement with the strand 33 by the guardyoke 112. This guard yoke 112 fits along the strands 30 as shown in Fig.17 so as to be held ina bowed condition. As soon as the leaves of theparticular series have fallen the drop rod will also fall therebycausing the push'rod 86 to swing the coin switch plate so as to causeany other coin which may be inserted vaccidentally while the rods ofthis particular' series are in a lowered position'to be directed throughthe coin return chute, the coin race and the tubes to the return cupupon the front of the casing. The shutter will of course have fallensimultaneous with the movement of the drop rod as this shutter 1s alsocontrolled by the movement of the last leaf.

It should be understood that when one of the coin cups is removed andthe leaves thereof are being provided with cards the drop rod of thisparticular series is lifted so as to be carried by the bracket 113carried upon the reinforcing rod 114. This bracket 113 is provided witha lateral extension 115 to permit the rod to be extended into thisextension 115 and to permit the head 94 of the drop rod to rest uponthis extension 115. In this manner the drop rod will be held out of theway for permitting the party who is refilling the machine to easilyplace the leaves upon the upper pawl and the cup in engagement with thecup supporting bar without interference from this drop rod. As soon asthe cup has been iiXed upon the bar by the engagement of the clamp 2()the drop rod is then moved from engagement with the eX'- tension 115 ofthe bracket 113 and permitted to drop so as to have its lower endfitting upon the upper leaf as illustrated in Fig". 3. rlfhis supportingrod 114 lits upon the fors ward surface of the coin slides andpermanently engages the same by being; soldered thereto or otherwisesecured whereby since the coin return chutes and the supporting strip 65are xedly mounted in engagement with the coin slides these elements willall be effectually reinforced by the supporting rod 114 since this rod1141- is pivotally carried by the props 116 secured to the platform Q9as illustrated at 117.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a very 'efficientpostcard vending machine has been provided wherein the leaves areremovably carried in a set position by means of the reciprocal pawlsthese pawls being operated by a very eiiicient coin controlledmechanism. It is however obvious that means has been provided for thereturn of the coin to a would-be purchaser provided the series of cardsof which he desires one has been exhausted, this return mechanism beingalso edectually operated by the movement of the last leaf when the lastcard of al series is exhausted. It is also obvious that any number ofthe operating mechanisms may be employed in connection with each machinesince each operating mechanism for each series of leaves is practincally identical thus permitting any number of mechanisms to be. providedin each casing according to the size of the casing and number ofmechanisms desired.

It is not desired to limit the construction of this vending machine tothe specific form of the casing or of the operating mechanisms hereinshown but it is desired to include all such forms ofthe device asproperly come within the scope of the invention as claimed.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described the combination of a support, acoin cupcarried by said support. leaves pivotally mounted upon said coincup, coin controlled means releasably retaining said leaves in set posietions, means for directing the coin into engagement with said coincontrolled means whereby one leaf may be released at a time and saidlast mentioned means being adapted to direct a coin into said cup.

2. In a device of the class described the combination of a support, acoin cup carried by said support, leaves fiXedly mounted upon said cup.coin controlled means releasably retaining said leaves in.V setpositions. means for directing a coin into engagement with said coincontrolled means, said last mentioned means being adapted to direct acoin into said cup and means for automatically switching the coin andreturning' the same to the purchaser provided all of said leaves havebeen released.

3. In a. device of the class described, the combination of a pluralityofleaves, means for supporting said leaves, said leaves having lipsformed thereon whereby said leaves.

may be retained in spaced positions with respect to each other, pawlscarried adjacent said leaves, means for simultaneously reciprocatingsaid pawls in opposite directions' whereby said pawls may permit oneleaf to be released at a time and the spacing of said. leaves permittingsaid pawls to easily engage each separate leaf.

ile. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof leaves, means for supporting said leaves, swinging rods, pawlscarried by said swinging rods whereby said pawls may swing in. ahorizontal plane, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pawls inopposite directions' whereby said pawls will engage said leaves in suchmanner as to permit only one leaf to fall at a single operationv 5. In adevice of the class described the combination of a support, leavescarried by said support, pawls carried adjacent said leaves, a shaft, atransverse pin carried by said shaft and engaging' said pawls, a secondpin extending from said shaft, means for swinging last mentioned pin,'whereby said first mentioned pin will simultaneously reciprocate saidpawls in opposite directions whereby said pawls will successivelyrelease said leaves.

6. In a device of the class described the combination of al plurality ofleaves, means for supporting said leaves, swii'igii'igsrods,

' carrying means pawls carried by said swinging rods, a shaft, atransverse pin carried by said shaft and engaging said pawls, said pinextending through said shaft, means carried by said last 'mentioned pinfor swinging the same whereby the first mentioned pin will reciprocatesaid pawls simultaneously in opposite directions, thereby releasing oneleatl at a time.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a cardcarrying means, means for supporting said card carrying means, pawlscarried adjacent said card carrying means, a shaft, a pin carried bysaid shaft and engaging said pawls, a second pin extending from saidshaft, a link connected to said last mentioned pin, a linger, said linkbeing connected to said finger, means for normally urging said linger inone direction, means for directing a coin into engagement with saidlinger, whereby said pawls may be simultaneously reciprocated inopposite directions so as to intermittently and partially release saidcard carrying means.

8. In a device olf the class described, the combination of a cardcarrying means, coin controlled means engaging said card carrying means,means for directing a coin into engagement with said coin controlledmeans, a coin return means, a switch plate carried adjacent said lastmentioned means, a lever, a push rod pivotally connected to said leverand bearing upon said switch plate, a drop rod connected to said leverand resting upon said card carrying means, said push rod beinp; adaptedto fall when said card has been entirely released, whereby said push rodwill swing said switch plate so as to cause a coin to be directed by theswitch plate into said return means.

9. In a device of the class described the combination of a plurality ofleaves, coin controlled means engaging said leaves for releasablyholding the same in set positions, means for directing a coin intoengagement with said coin controlled means, a coin return means carriedadjacent said last mentioned means, a switch plate carried adjacent saidlast mentioned means a push rod engaging said plate, a lever supportingsaid rod, a drop rod engaging said lever and resting upon said leaves,whereby when all of said leaves have been released said rod will fall soas to swing` said lever, thereby causing said push rod to swing saidplate for causing the plate to direct a coin which may then be directedinto engagement therewith into said coin return means.

10. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a support, a coin cup cai-,

ried upon said support, means for releasably retaining said coin cup ina set position,- leaves pivotally mounted upon said coin cup wherebysaid coin cup may be removed so as to permit the leaves to receivearticles to be vended, and means for releasably 'retaining said leavesin set positions, whereby said leaves may be released for permittingtlie articles carried thereby to be vended.

1l. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a support, a'bar carried thereby and having cleats formed thereon, a cup positionedbetween said cleats, said cup having a ianee, a cup fitting upon saidclamp and engagingy said bar for releasably holding said cup in a setposition, leaves pivotally mounted upon said cup, coin controlled meansengaging said leaves for rctaining the same in set positions, means fordirecting a coin into engagement with saidl last mentioned means, saidlast mentioned means being adapted to direct the coin into said cup.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a cardcarrying means, coin controlled means releasably holding said cardcarrying means in a set position, a slide carried adjacent said coincontrolled means, a coin cup, means for carrying a coin into said slidewhereby said coin controlled means may be operated, a chute leading froma point adjacent said slide, acoin race extending adjacent said chuteand means for automatically directing a coin into said chute to bereturned by said race when said card carrying means has been released.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof leaves, means for supporting said leaves, pawls carried adjacent saidleaves, a pin engaging saidA pawls, a second pin extending over` saidfirst mentioned pin, a link connected to said last mentioned pin, afinger connected to said link, means forv urging said finger in onedirection, means for directing coin into engagement with said fingerwhereby said'linger will-move so as to simultaneously .reciprocate saidpawls thereby successively releasing said leaves.

la. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof leaves, means for supporting said leaves, pawls carried adjacent saidleaves, a pin engaging said pawls, a second pin engaging said firstmentioned pin, a link connected to said last mentioned pin, a fingerconnected to said link, means for urging said finger in one direction, aslide, said iinger projecting through said slide, means for directing acoin into said slide whereby said slide will conduct the coin intoengagement with said linger thereby causing said finger to move forswinging said pin thereby simultaneouslyl reciprocating said pawls forreleasing one of said leaves.

.15., ln adevice of the 'class described, the

iat

combination of a support, a coin receiving means carried by saidsupport, leaves pivotally mounted upon said coin receiving means, coincontrolled means releasably retaining said leaves in set positions,means for directing a coin into engagement with said coin controlledmeans whereby one leaf may be released at a time, and said lastmentioned means being adapted to direct a coin into said coin receivingmeans.

16. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a support, acoin receiving means carried by said support, leaves Apivotally mountedupon said coin receiving means, coin controlled means releasablyretaining said leaves in set positions, means for directing a coin intoengagement with said coin controlled means whereby one leaf may bereleased at a time, said last mentioned means being adapted to direct acoin into said coin receiving means, and means for automaticallyreturning the coin to the purchaser after all ol2 said leaves have beenreleased.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof leaves, means for supporting said leaves, said leaves having spacedlips formed thereon whereby articles may be placed between said leaves,swinging rods, pawls carried by said swinging rods whereby said pawlsmay swing in horizontal planes, means for simultaneously reciprocatingsaid pawls in opposite irections whereby said pawls will be permitted toengage said leaves by the spacing of said leaves apart and at the sametime successively release said leaves.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof leaves, means for supporting said leaves, said leaves having spacedlips formed thereon whereby articles may be placed between said leaves,swinging rods, pawls carried by said swinging rods whereby said pawlsmay swing in horizontal planes, means for simultaneously reciprocatingsaid pawls in opposite directions whereby said pawls will be permittedto engage said leaves by the spacing of said leaves apart and at thesame time successively release said leaves, and means for returning cointo the purchaser after all of said leaves have been released.

19. 1n a device of the class described, the combination oi' a pluralityof leaves, means for supporting said leaves, swinging rods, a pawlCarried by each said swinging rods, a pin engaging saidpawls, a secondpin eX- tending from said lirst mentioned pin, a link connected to saidlast mentioned pin, a finger connected to said link, means for urgingsaid finger in one direction, means for directing a coin into engagementwith said finger whereby said finger will move so as to simultaneouslyreciprocate said pawls in a horizontal plane whereby said leaves will besuccessively released.

20. 1n a device of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof leaves, means for supporting said leaves, swinging rods, a pawlcarried by each said swinging rods, a pin engaging said pawls, a secondpin eX- tending from said first mentioned pin, a link connected to saidlast mentioned pin, a finger connected to said link, means for urgingsaid ringer in one direction, a chute, said nger projecting through saidchute, said chute being adapted to direct a coin into engagement withsaid inger whereby said linger will move so as to simultaneouslyreciprocate said pawls in opposite directions whereby said pawls will besuccessively released.

21. 1n a device of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof leaves, means for supporting said leaves, swinging rods, a pawlcarried by each said swinging rods, a pin engaging said pawls, a secondpin eX- tending Jrom said lirst mentioned pin, a link connected to saidlast mentioned pin, a nger connected to said link, means for urging saidinger in one direction, a chute, said linger projecting through saidchute, said chute being adapted to direct a coin into engagement withsaid inger whereby said linger will move so as to simultaneouslyreciprocate said pawls in opposite directions whereby said pawls will besuccessively released, and means for automatically returning the coin tothe purchaser after said leaves have been released.

22. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof leaves, pawls releasably retaining said leaves in set positions,means for simultaneously reciprocating said pawls whereby said leavesmay be successively released, means for directing a coin into engagementwith said last mentioned means, a coin returning means, a

switch plate carried adjacent said last men-v tioned means, a lever, apush rod connected to said lever and bearing upon said switch plate, adrop rod engaging said lever and resting upon said leaves, said drop rodbeing adapted to fall when said leaves have been released whereby saidpush rods will swing said switch plate so as to cause the coin to be,directed by said switch plate into said coin receiving means.

23. 1n a device of the class described, the i combination of a pluralityof leaves, pawls releasably retaining said leaves in set positions,means for simultaneously reciprocating said pawls whereby said leavesmay be successively released, means for directing a coin into engagementwith said last mentioned means, a coin returning means, a coin racecarried adjacent said last mentioned means, a switch plate carriedadjacent saidV last mentioned means, a lever, a push rod pivotallyconnected to said lever and bearing upon said switch plate, a drop rodconnected to said lever and resting upon said leaves, ysaid drop rodbeing adapted to fall, when said leaves have been released whereby saidpush rod will swing said switch plate into said coin race t0 be returnedto the purchaser,

24. In a device of the class described, the combination of a support, abar carried upon said support and having cleats formed thereon, a cupiitting between said cleats and said cup having a flange, a clamp ittingupon said cup and flange and carried by said bar for releasably holdingsaid cup in a set position, article carrying means mounted upon saidcup, coin controlled means engaging said article carrying means forreleasably retaining said article carrying means in set positions, meansfor directing a coin into engagement with said last mentioned meanswhereby said article carrying means may be freed so-as to ,bend thearticles mounted thereon, and said last mentioned means being adapted todirect the coin into said cup.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiiX my signature.

ALBERT NnLsoN.

Copies et this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe "commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. Y

